The Indianapolis Colts signed linebacker Stanley Raass on Monday, filling a vital need for the team during the early phase of training camp.

With the signing of the 6-foot, 250-pound rookie free agent from Brigham Young, the Colts have 35 players to participate in the camp."We just needed another guy there. We didn't bring him in just to beat on him, and send him home. We think he's good enough to maybe have a chance to make our team," coach Lindy Infante said.

"Had we known what we know (now) earlier, we would have tried to get a couple of linebackers in. It (the signing) worked good for us, we got another guy in to help our defense."

The Colts began practicing Saturday, but had few players because of an NFL rule that prohibits veterans from participating in early camps unless they were injured at the end of last season or had surgery during the offseason.

The full training camp opens July 15 at Anderson University.

"We were notified about the new NFL rule that most veterans couldn't come in early even on a voluntary basis too late to change our plans for this part of camp," Infante said. "It's a little frustrating the league passed the rule on me. When we set this camp up, we were going to have about 55 players because we had a lot of volunteers.

"Most all of the offensive linemen were going to volunteer, linebackers were going to come in. . . . Then it turned out we couldn't have them in here."

The Colts began camp for rookies, free agents and selected veterans on Friday and practiced during the weekend with only 11 defensive players. Rookie Sammie Burroughs, who had signed as a free agent defensive back in April after playing linebacker at Portland State for two years, was the only linebacker in camp until the signing of Raass.

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One of the participants, quarterback Jim Harbaugh, didn't practice Monday. However, there was no cause for alarm because Infante gave him the day off.

"I don't need all five of them (quarterbacks) every day. He and Paul (Justin) and Craig (Erickson) will each get a day off," Infante said.

All the quarterbacks will practice once the rest of the team reports Monday. Infante anticipates a busy schedule once camp begins in Anderson because the Colts will open preseason play July 27 against New Orleans in the annual Hall of Fame game at Canton, Ohio.

"These guys are getting a head start before we go to Anderson. These guys are the guys that are going to be playing in the game against the Saints. Neither one of us are going to put our veterans out there and leave them for a half," Infante said.

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